pathology
noun
pa·thol·o·gy
pə-ˈthä-lə-jē 
plural pathologies
1
: the study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and functional changes produced by them
studied plant pathology
2
: something abnormal:
a
: the structural and functional deviations from the normal that constitute disease or characterize a particular disease
the pathology of pneumonia
b
: deviation from propriety or from an assumed normal state of something nonliving or nonmaterial
the pathology of wine
c
: deviation giving rise to social ills
… connections between these pathologies … and crime …—
Wendy Kaminer
Wendy Kaminersocial pathology
Examples of pathology in a Sentence
the pathology of lung diseases
Recent Examples on the Web
Scientists found that higher levels of pTau217 predicted a faster buildup of Alzheimer’s disease pathology, even when initial brain scans appeared normal.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
In fact, the two are biologically linked, with overlapping pathologies in endothelial function, and signaling in testosterone and nitric oxide.
—Denise Asafu-Adjei, STAT, 13 Apr. 2026
The pathologies of the housing market are one reason.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
At six months, the mice with tau pathology spent more time awake and less time in NREM sleep (non-rapid eye movement), which is the calm and restorative first phase of a sleep cycle.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pathology
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Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
In fact, the two are biologically linked, with overlapping pathologies in endothelial function, and signaling in testosterone and nitric oxide.
—Denise Asafu-Adjei, STAT, 13 Apr. 2026
The pathologies of the housing market are one reason.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
At six months, the mice with tau pathology spent more time awake and less time in NREM sleep (non-rapid eye movement), which is the calm and restorative first phase of a sleep cycle.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pathology
Cite this Entry
“Pathology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathology. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pathology
noun
pa·thol·o·gy
pə-ˈthäl-ə-jē
plural pathologies
1
: the study of diseases and especially of the changes in the body produced by them
2
: something abnormal
especially
: the disorders in structure and function that occur in a particular disease
Medical Definition
pathology
noun
pa·thol·o·gy
-jē
plural pathologies
1
: the study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and functional changes produced by them
2
: the anatomic and physiological deviations from the normal that constitute disease or characterize a particular disease
3
: a treatise on or compilation of abnormalities
a new pathology of the eye
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